xt7p2n4zh749 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7p2n4zh749/data/mets.xml Stanley, Edwin James, 1848-1919. 19161907  books b92-62-27078341 English Publishing House of the M.E. Church, South, : Nashville,Tenn. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Stateler, L. B. Methodist Church West History. Indians of North America Missions. Life of Rev. L.B. Stateler  : a story of life on the old frontier, containing incidents ... of Methodist history in the West and Northwest. text Life of Rev. L.B. Stateler  : a story of life on the old frontier, containing incidents ... of Methodist history in the West and Northwest. 1916 2002 true xt7p2n4zh749 section xt7p2n4zh749 

REV. L. B. STATELER.

 

LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER
     A STORY OF LIFE ON THE
            OLD FRONTIER
 CONTAINING INCIDRNTs, ANECDoTicS, AND SKETCHES OF
       MUTHODIST HISTORY IN T111 WEST AND
                 NORTHWEST
           REV. E J. STANLEY
              Ofth Arniaa Conference
          Amohor of "Rambles in Woderland"
          INTRODUCTION BY BISHOP E. R. HN"Rx
            ILLUSTRATIONS BY F. S. PAXSON
               RZESED pound;   ION
               N As  r LLEc, TENN.
          DALLAS, TEx.; RICHMOND, VA.
   PUBLISHING HOUSE OF THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH
            SMITH  LAMAR, AGENTS
                    i9T6

 

COPYRIGHT, 1907,
      BY
 E. J. STANIvY.

 

PREFACE.
  PERHAPS no part of our great country has moved
torward with such rapid strides during the past gen-
eration or two as the West and Northwest. Instead
of being regarded as an out-of-the-way sort of place,
consisting of "interminable deserts" and endless and
impassable mountains, containing the "scrapings of
creation," and "not worth a pinch of snuff" (as it was
characterized by famous statesmen and honorable
Senators in the halls of Congress in bygone years), it
is rapidly coming to the front and bids fair at no dis-
tant day to become the center of activities and in-
fluences world-wide in their extent.
  Among the thousands who are coming from all
lands and from all parts of our own land to behold
its attractions, enjoy its luxuries, and possess its
treasures there are comparatively few who stop to
think of the labor performed, the obstacles encoun-
tered, and the hardships endured by those who went
before and laid the foundations of the commercial,
the civil, the social, and the religious life that abounds
there to-day. A desire to contribute something to-
ward a higher appreciation of the efforts put forth by
those who wrought in the conquest and Christianiza-
tion of this vast domain, especially the latter, is the
apology for the appearance of this volume. At the
call of the Master they forsook all and went forth
into the wilderness, performing heroic tasks and en-
during untold privations, not a few laying down their
                                          (iii)

 

LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
lives in the noble work, and without thought of com-
pensation except that which comes from a sense of
duty performed, the joy of ministering to the spiritual
welfare of their fellow-men, and the promise of a
crown of life in the world to come. The country
owes them a debt of gratitude that it can never pay.
It has been well said that they "deserve a monument
higher than man can build."
  Mr. Stateler's career possesses a special interest on
account of the time in our country's history in which-
he lived and labored, the long years of service ren-
dered, and the field he occupied-the ever-shifting
frontier line, extending from Kentucky across the
Mississippi Valley and over the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific Coast. There were scores of noble men
and women associated with him whose names are in
the book of life and of whom it would be a pleasure
to write more in detail but for the limited space in
this volume, which is already much larger than was at
first contemplated. If the reader finds half as much
pleasure and profit in the perusal of these pages as
the writer did in their preparation, there will be no
cause for regret on either side.
  Many thanks are extended to Bishop Hendrix for
his kind words of introduction; to Mr. E. S. Paxson,
the popular Montana artist, for the excellent drawings
he has prepared especially for this book; to Rev. Joab
Spencer, of Slater, Mo., for assistance in procuring
portraits and other illustrations connected with mis-
sion work in Kansas; and to many other friends for
encouraging words and for favors received.
                                         E. J. S.
  WHITEHALL, MONT., March 21, 1907.
iv

 

       PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.
  WITH devout gratitude for the cordial reception ex-
tended and the many kind words of appreciation in be-
half of this humble volume, the first edition of which
is exhausted, and in response to many earnest calls,
the second edition is sent forth with a fervent prayer
that it may be helpful to very many people. E. J. S.
  WHITEHALL, MONT., December 12, I9I5.
                                          (v)

 
This page in the original text is blank.



 

                   CONTENTS.
                                                 PAGH
INTRODUCTION..  ........................................ xv
                    CHAPTER I.
Date and Place of Birth-Of German Stock-Grandfa-
ther a Fort Builder-His Father a Pioneer-Thrilling
Experience-Mother a Pioneer-Preacher's Daughter-
Boyish Sports-A Wrestling Match ...................  I
                    CHAPTER II.
Manner of Living in Those Early Times-Log Cabins-
Looms-Spinning Wheels-Self-Reliance-Early Reli-
gious Training-Revivals of Religion Common-State-
ler's Own Story-Joined Church at the Age of Seven-
Licensed to Exhort, Then to Preach-Old Bethel
Church-A Sore Temptation-A Signal Victory ....... g
                   CHAPTER III.
Goes to Conference-Departure from Home-An Affect-
ing Scene-Joins the Kentucky Conference-On Trial-
Volunteers for the Work in Missouri-Starts at Once-
Long Journey on Horseback-Personal Sketch-First
Circuit-Attends Conference at Pilot Grove-A Nota-
ble Gathering-Indian Missions ....................... 17
                   CHAPTER IV.
Goes to Bowling Green Circuit-A Gracious Time-Two
Camp Meetings-A Wonderful Revival-Andrew Mon-
roe-Notable Conversions-Conference at Cane Hill,
Ark.-Long Journey-A Great Meeting-Ordained
Deacon and Admitted into Full Connection-Sent
among the Indians-A Trying Time-"Black Mammy"
-A Vile Old Fellow-Raising the Puncheons-Family
Prayers Kept Up under Difficulties .................... 27
                                          (vii)

 

LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
                    CHAPTER V.
                                                 PAGI
Another Camp Meeting Conference-Bishop Roberts-
  Stateler Goes to St. Louis-Changed to Canton Cir-
  cuit-Great Hardships-Very Successful-Extracts from
  Journal-Temperance Work ........................  38
                   CHAPTER VI.
In Labors Abundant-A Presiding Elder Immersed-A
  Missouri Mustang-Preacher Takes a Tumble-Gets
  Bled-In Perils on Land and Water-An Unsatisfac-
  tory Service-Crossing a Prairie-Set Afoot-Feeling
  "Mighty Hollow"-"Cooning" a Log-Andrew Monroe
  -The Presiding Eldership-Interviews Keokuk, the
  Indian Chief.                                   47
                   CHAPTER VIT.
Conference at Arrow Rock-Mr. Stateler Ordained
  Elder-Returns to Canton Circuit-Reminiscences-
  William Hunter's Popular Hymn.                  58
                  CHAPTER VIII.
"Murder Will Out"-"Important Business" at Bowling
  Green-Repeated Visits Thither-Gets Married-Is Op-
  posed, but without Avail-Anecdote of James Axley... 63
                   CHAPTER IX.
Conference at St. Louis-First Session Held in a Town
or City-Liberal Collections-But Few Conversions-
Sent to Cape Girardeau-A Visit to the Old Home-
Watch Night Service-Has a Home of His Own-In-
cessant Labors-Camp Meeting-Protracted Meetings
-Starts to Conference-A Night in the Wilderness.... 68
                   CHAPTER X.
Conference Again at St. Louis-Bishop Soule Present-
Among the Delaware Indians-Historical Sketch-Mis-
sion Work-Difficulties Encountered-The Heathen
Party-Tragic End of Two Drunken Characters.        7
vWi

 

CONTENTS
                    CHAPTER XI.
                                                  PAGZ
Continues among the Delawares-Building a New Meet-
  inghouse-Extracts from Journal-A Moravian Mis-
  sionary-Feasting the People-Arrival of Missionaries
  for Oregon-A Macedonian Call-Offers Himself for
  the Oregon Work-Marcus Whitman-Rattlesnake
  Bite-The Indian Doctor-Sorcery Practiced-Drunken
  Indians-A Visit to Des Moines Rapids ............... 86
                   CHAPTER XII.
From i838 to i84o-Conference at Boonville-Still among
  the Delawares-Work Prospers-The Establishment of
  the Great Central Manual Labor School-Its Object-
  Thrilling Incidents-A Noble Chief-Story of "Aunt
  Barbara"-Wonderful Providence-Charles and James
  Ketchum.............................................. 96
                  CHAPTER XIII.
Among the Shawnees-From i840 to i844-Builds An-
other Meetinghouse-The Missionary Takes Part-The
Heathens at Work-The House Defiled-A Great Camp
Meeting-Death of William Johnson-Bishop Roberts
-The School a Success-Attends a Council-A Native
Preacher, Ma-she-la-Bose-man-A Singular Provi-
dence-Ministry of a Bear ............................ i04
                  CHAPTER XIV.
Indian Mission Conference Organized-Journey Thither-
Mr. Stateler a Charter Member-Bishop Morris-Won-
derful Growth-Success of Missions-A Destructive
Tornado-On Choctaw District-Conference at Shaw-
nee-Mr. Stateler on Kansas River District ............ II3
                   CHAPTER XV.
Peculiarities of Indian Mission Work-Success-Owing
to Settled Condition-Adjacent to Wild Tribes-
Thrilling Incident-Sixteen Delawares Slain-Mode of
Worship-Indian Hymns ............................. I21
ix

 

x         LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
                  CHAPTER XVI.
                                                 PAGR
Sketch of Colaborers-N. M. Talbot-N. T. Shaler-Ed-
ward T. Peery-J. T. Peery-Thomas and William
Johnson-Jerome C. Berryman-Nathan Scarritt-
David Kinnear-A. Millice-Charles Boles-J. H.
Slavens . ............................................. I27
                  CHAPTER XVII.
Double Work-Some Native Men-Not Appreciated-
Kansas Mission Conference Organized-Indians Sell
Their Lands-White Settlers-Churches Formed among
Them-Partisan Spirit-Extensive Revivals-Stateler
and Hedgepeth ....................................... i36
                 CHAPTER XVIII.
Some Observations Concerning the Division of the
Church . ............................................ '45
                  CHAPTER XIX.
Last Session of the Kansas Mission Conference-Increas-
ing Excitement-Threats of Violence-Appointed to
Denver-Preparation for the Journey-The Depar-
ture-Described by an Eyewitness-Scene Worthy of
Remembrance-Mysterious Providence-Thrust into
the Wilderness .......................................i 6o
                   CHAPTER XX.
Arrival at Denver-Great Disappointment-Church Had
Been Sold-Prepares to Return Home-Startling News
from  His Wife-Their Home Destroyed by Fire-
  Stateler Warned Not to Return-Family Starts to
  Join  Him-Meeting    at Kearney-Thrilling   Experi-
  ence-A Vast Snowy Wilderness-Wearing the Winter
  Out-Intense Sufferings .............................. 166

 

CONTENTS.
                   CHAPTER XXI.
                                                 PAGE
Hard Times-Keeping Hotel-"China" Clarke-A Friend
  Indeed-Travels a   Circuit-Martial Law-Starts
  Northward-A Large Train-Mode of Travel-Build
  Their Own Bridges-Preaching Every Sunday-Wag-
  on Tips Over-Narrow Escape-Broken Axle-Indian
  Scare-A Glad Surprise-Old Friends Meet-Big
  Feast-Chief Washakie-Jim Bridger ................. I72
                  CHAPTER XXII.
A Famous Passway-The Home of the Sioux and Ab-
saurokees-Scene of Many Tragedies-Wonderful
Preservation-Arrival at Yellowstone-One Thousand
People in the Train-Bozeman Pass-Gallatin Valley-
Norwegian Gulch Gold-Mining-Preaching under an
Arbor-Camping among Rattlesnakes-Trip to Vir-
ginia City-Extreme Isolation-High Prices-Removal
to Jefferson Valley-Living on "Meat Straight"-A
Remarkable Incident-Kills a Deer-Plenty of Meat... i82
                 CHAPTER XXIII.
Religious Conditions in Virginia City-The "Log Church"
Built-Stateler Preaches at Willow Creek-Organizes
the First Society-Preaches in Virginia City-Travels
Two Hundred Miles Each Month-Receives Nothing
for His Services-Reign of Lawlessness-Trial and Ex-
ecution of Ives-Vigilantes-Hanging of Road Agents
-New Discoveries of Gold-New Settlements-De-
parture for Oregon-Chopping His Way through the
Cceur d'Alenes-A Pack Train-Whitman's Grave
Visits the Columbia Conference-A Surprise-Takes
Work-Plans Thwarted-Resolves to Return .......... i90
                 CHAPTER XXIV.
Stateler Appointed Superintendent of Missions in Mon-
tana and Colorado-Returns to Montana-Anomalous
Position-Plans for Enlargement of the Work-Church
Xi

 

xii      .LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
                                                  PAGI
  Organized in Gallatin Valley-B, R. Baxter at Helena
  a Short Time-Stateler Alone Again-Settlements Ex-
  tending-Appeals for Help-Western Conference Or-
  ganized-Three Men Sent-Stateler Pays Their Way-
  Preachers Well Received-A Great Revival-The
  Work Prospers ...................................... 204
                   CHAPTER XXV.
Stateler at the Western Conference-The First for Ten
  Years-Interest Awakened-Ten New Men Secured-
  The Journey to Montana-Trials Encountered-Inci-
  dents of Frontier Work-Playing Poker to Pay the
  Preacher-Hog-Killing and Preaching on Sunday-
  Escape from a Disagreeable Drenching-Indians Mur-
  der Two Men-Two Men Licensed to Preach ......... 2i5
                  CHAPTER XXVI.
Bishop Marvin Visits Montana-Makes a Tour of the
  Territory-Visits the Stateler Home-Holds an "Ir.-
  formal Conference"-Stateler Called to Account-A
  Grave Charge-Acquitted-A Good Joke at Stateler's
  Expense-A Preacher's "Skeleton"-Mistaken Official
  -Much Trouble for Nothing-Stateler Attends Con-
  ference Again-A Great Meeting at Corvallis-A
  Church Secured at Deer Lodge ....................... 229
                 CHAPTER XXVII.
Preachers Meet at Deer Lodge-A Crisis-Montana Con-
ference Created-Then "Stricken Out"-A Trying Or-
deal-Conference at Denver-Bishop Marvin's Second
Visit-Conference at Helena-Revival at Willow Creek
-An Episode-"Uncle Dick's" Speech-Conference at
Denver-David Morton's Arrival ..................... 241
                 CHAPTER XXVIII.
Rev. David Morton's Work in Montana-His Presence
Inspires Confidence-Traveling the District-Work at

 

                                                  PAGB
  Helena-Assists the Preachers-A Capital Joke-Mon-
  tana Beef-Caught in His Own Trap-Called Home-
  Conference at Denver-Montana Conference Organ-
  ized-Appropriation Cut Down-Trying Times ........ 251
                  CHAPTER XXIX.
First Session of the Montana Conference-Bishop Wight-
man Presides-Had Opposed the Organization-State
of the Church-Difficulties Encountered-Determina-
tion to Go Forward-District Divided-Next Confer-
ence at Willow Creek-Bishop Keener Present-A
Profitable Session-An Interesting Colloquy-Road
Running Out-Sanford Locates-"Stateler Chapel"
Dedicated-A Bishop Surprised-Liberal Collection-
Fording the River-An Exciting Time ................ 26i
                  CHAPTER XXX.
Third Session-Bishop Doggett Absent-Dr. A. W. Wil-
son Attends-Mr. Stateler Presides-Fourth Session at
Helena-Bishop Kavanaugh-The "Old Man Elo-
quent"-An Affecting Scene-A Congregation Con-
vulsed-The Bishop "Converted"-Conference at Butte
-Bishop Hargrove-A Friend of the West-Accom-
panied by His Wife-Church Dedication-Trying
Times-Bishop Tuttle-Amusing Episode-"Rich Meth-
odist Parsons"-"One-Horse Preachers ................ 272
                  CHAPTER XXXI.
A Notable Event-Completion of the Northern Pacific
Railway-Conference at Stateler Chapel in i877-Small
Beginning, but Good Ending-Stateler Again at the
Front-Conference at Stevensville-Rev. David Mor-
ton Present-A Great Meeting-"Delaware Jim"-
Another Session at Willow Creek-First Parsonage
Society Organized .................................... 283
CONTENTS.
.x.i.

 

xiv     LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
                 CHAPTER XXXII.
                                                 PAGK
Conference at Bozeman-Trials of the Preachers-State-
ler at Stevensville-Moves a Parsonage-Stricken Down
with Paralysis-Conference at Helena-Affecting Scene
-Bishop Hendrix Present-Conference at Butte-
Bishop Galloway-The Superannuated Preachers' Ben-
efit Fund............................................. 294
                 CHAPTER XXXIII.
Again Appointed Presiding Elder-Interest in Young
Men-Mrs. Stateler Passes Away-Bishop Galloway's
Noble Tribute-Conference at Stevensville-Stateler
Relieved of Active Work-General Conference at. St.
Louis-More Interest in Montana-Conference at Deer
Lodge-Bishop Hendrix Present-Stateler Active Again
-An Ideal Preachers' Home-Montana Hospitality Re-
membered.                                        302
                 CHAPTER XXXIV.
Memoir of Mrs. Stateler-Born in North Carolina-Her
House the Preachers' Home-Struggles with Poverty-
Life on the Frontier-Love of Humor-A Good Joke
-Devotion to Principle-Pent-Up Patriotism-Voice
from a Rocky Cliff-Amusing Incident-A Valued
Souvenir-Devotion to the Church-Triumphant Cul-
mination of an Eventful Career.                  3IO
                  CHAPTER XXXV.
Closing the Gaps-Work in Flathead County-Church
Built at Wallace-East Columbia Conference Organ-
ized - Montana Represented - Gratifying Progress-
Stateler Attends Ecumenical Conference-Donation to
Church Extension Fund .................., 3I9

 

CONTENTS.
                 CHAPTER XXXVI.
                                                 AGZ
Conference at Bozeman-Mr. Stateler Retires-Sends a
Missionary to Japan-Conference at Butte-Bishop
  Fitzgerald  Presides-Conference  at Corvallis-New
  Church Dedicated-Conference at Helena-Last At-
  tended by Stateler-Goes on His "Last Round"-Visits
  Corvallis-Unusually Cheerful-Appointment to Preach
  -Taken Sick-Last Hours-Memorial Services-Funer-
  al at Stateler Chapel-Last Resting Place .............. 326
                CHAPTER XXXVII.
Mr. Stateler's General Character-A Remarkable Career
-Thoroughly Converted-Strictly Orthodox-A Good
Preacher-Full of Sympathy-A Man of Simple Habits
-True Benevolence-Dr. Hoss's Tribute .............. 338
                CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Tribute to the Memory of L. B. Stateler by Rev. David
Morton, D.D.-Early Life-In His Mountain Home
Lifelong Friends-Working in Shafts-A Good Par-
rot Story-Munificent Gifts-His Departure Deeply
Mourned . ........................................... 346
                CHAPTER XXXIX.
Tribute to Mr. Stateler's Memory-Rev. D. B. Price-
Central Methodist and Courier-Journal-Rev. W. 0.
Waggener in Alabama Christian Advocate-Rev. R. S.
Clark in Funeral Discourse ........................... 352
XV

 
This page in the original text is blank.

 

                 ILLUSTRATIONS.
                                                    PAG E
Rev. L. B. Stateler .............................F rontispiece
Bishops Robert Paine, William McKendree, Joshua Soule,
  Thomas A. Morris, James 0. Andrew .................      0
The Itinerant Leaving Home ............................ i8
An Old-Fashioned Camp Meeting ....................... 30
Bishops Doggett, H. H. Kavanaugh, Robert R. Roberts,
E. M. Marvin, H. N. McTyeire ........................ 40
Bishops R. K. Hargrove, J. B. McFerrin, J. C. Keener,
0. P. Fitzgerald, A. W. Wilson ....................... 48
Indian Camp Meeting ................................      6o
Mrs. L. B. Stateler ................................      64
Bishops E. R. Hendrix, Charles B. Galloway, W. W. Dun-
can, H. C. Morrison ................................    74
Old Shawnee Mission ................................      80
Main School Building, Indian Manual Labor School ...... go
Girls' Boarding House, Indian Manual Labor School..... ioo
Rev. James Ketchum ................................... I02
Shawnee Indian Church .............    ................... li0
Jefferson Davis .........................................1 2
Inscription on Back of Photograph Sent to Mrs. L. B.
Stateler  ............    .................................  I13
Home of Missionary and Teachers at Shawnee Mission as
It Now Appears ...................................... ii8
Rev. Thomas Johnson, Rev. Jesse Greene, Rev. J. C. Ber-
ryman, Rev. J. T. Perry, Mrs. Mary Greene, Rev. Joab
Spencer, Mrs. J. T. Perry ............................ 132
Bishop E. E. Hoss, Bishop W. R. Lambuth, W. F. Mc-
Murry, D.D., Bishop R. G. Waterhouse, Bishop W. A.
Candler  ............     .................................  136
Rev. H. H. Hedgepeth, Rev. Joseph King, Rev. J. W.
Compton, Rev. E. G. Michael ......................... i42
Wearing the Winter Out ................................ I70
Stateler Preaching in Camp ............................. 174
Jim Bridger ............................................ i78
     2                                     (xvii)

 

xviii      LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
                                                    WAGX
Washakie ............................................   I80
Custer's Last Battle ..................................... i82
A Montana Gold Mine .................................. i84
Getting a Supply of Meat ............................... x88
Colonel Sanders Prosecuting George Ives, the Road Agent. i9a
Scene at "Hangman's Tree" in the Early Days of Helena,
  Mont ............................................. i96
Scene at Foot of Cceur d'Alene Lake, Idaho ............. i98
Pack Train Crossing the Mountains ..................... 200
Methodist Church and Parsonage, Corvallis, Mont., with
  the Bitter Root Mountain in the Background .......... 202
City of Bozeman, Mont ................................. 224
Rev. R. S. Clark, Rev. T. W. Flowers, Rev. H. W. Currin,
  J. W. Kemper, Esq ................................... 238
Rev. David Morton, D.D ................................. 250
A. G. Clarke, Esq., Mrs. A. G. Clarke, E. G. Brooke, Mrs.
  E. G. Brooke .....................................     268
St. Paul's M. E. Church, South, Butte, Mont ............. 274
M. E. Church, South, at Stevensville, Mont .............. 278
"Perhaps You Are One-Horse Preachers," etc ........... 286
Driving the Golden Spike at the Completion of the North-
  ern Pacific Railway, Near Golden Creek, Mont ......... 286
Some Montana Home Mission Workers ................. 292
Rev. D. B. Price, Rev. R H. Shaffer, Rev. R. B. Swift,
  Rev. W. M. Britt, Rev. A. C. Couey, Rev. C. W. San-
  ford .............................................    298
Rev. E. J. Stanley ..................................... 304
The Montana Conference at Deer Lodge, Mont., i8go.... 308
Columbia Conference at Albany, Oregon, I892 ............ 322
Rev. S. B. Tabor, Rev. W. 0. Waggener, Rev. J. E.
Squires, Rev. J. B. Parnall ............................ 328
Stateler Chapel, at Willow Creek, Mont ................. 332
The Stateler Tomb .................................... 336

 

                INTRODUCTION.
  IT is narrated of the writer of this book that on one
occasion in one of the mountain fastnesses of the great
Northwest he knocked at the door of a monastery seek-
ing information. As the monk cautiously opened the
door a large, tall, muscular, and bronzed traveler said:
"My name is Stanley." "What I" exclaimed the monk;
"the great African explorer!" No; but the only rea-
son was that E. J. Stanley had never been to Africa,
or he would have rivaled his namesake by his spirit of
adventure and discovery.
  This book is the story of a heroic life by a hero
worshiper. It was no less the voice of Stateler than
the appointment of Bishop Marvin that transplanted
young Stanley from the great bend of the Missouri to
its source. There the young itinerant became the inti-
mate associate and fellow worker of Rev. Learner
Blackman Stateler. He was more than presiding elder
and senior to the young preacher; he was his stead-
fast counselor, his lifelong friend, his Elijah whose
mantle fell to a young Elisha with short locks looking
heavenward, where the venerable prophet of more than
fourscore winters had entered. Never was there a
more beautiful frien.dship between age and youth as
the old man told into a listening and eager ear the sim-
ple story of his unconsciously heroic life as an itiner-
ant. What though a half century had passed since the
events had taken place which the old hero narrated
The spirit was still young within him, and he stood
ready to repeat amid the mountains of Montana the ex-
                                         (xix)

 

LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
periences amid the wilds of early Kentucky or the un-
tutored savages of the Indian Territory. The story
fired the heart of the young preacher, and not a word
was lost of the inspiring and pulse-quickening narra-
tive. It was to him as "the voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his
paths straight." The old prophet found a historian in
his junior preacher; and a ministry extended from
Kentucky through Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado to
Montana was to find place in the annals of Methodism
by the industrious pen of the enthusiastic listener and
scribe.
  Thus is preserved to us the story of another "sky
pilot," who touched many lives in many parallels, in-
spiring confidence everywhere and winning men by his
courage and his love of souls. The hardy mountain-
eers know a true man of God when they have tested
him. When they listen to a sermon, their stern eyes
look a preacher through and through. They will con-
tribute as eagerly to get a craven or "tenderfoot" out
of the country as to get a lion heart into the mountains.
They respect religion for what it puts into a man, not
for what it leaves out. A preacher who has lived with
them among the blizzards and hardships of many win-
ters, never complaining, but rather putting his heroic
spirit into the faint-hearted, is the man they believe in
and will listen to. Such was Stateler, who won men
as neighbor and friend of man and God. Seconded by
his equally courageous wife, he knew no fear and
quailed before no hardship. When stricken by paral-
ysis and supposed to be dying, I drove seventy miles
over the mountains to receive his blessing and counsel
XX

 

INTRODUCTION.
when the old hero insisted that he would join me on
my journey to the seat of the Conference, which he
did, and was hailed with tears of glad welcome by the
little band he so long had led. When he died, it was
discovered that all he had belonged to the Church he
had so long loved and served. With abundance of
pasture land, his flocks and herds multiplied about him,
neighbors guarding them in his absence; and when the
end came, it was all theirs for the building of churches
and the extension of the kingdom of Christ.
  It makes our pulses beat quicker to read a life like
this. Gideon, the farmer, little knew what was in him
when an angel called him "a mighty man of valor." It
is devotion of one's life to God, cheerful trust in the
divine promises rather than in visible human resources,
and complete self-surrender to do the will of God that
tell what God can do with a life that is wholly his.
The world is not worthy of such a prophet of God, and
all the gold in the Montana mountains cannot pull
down the scales when Stateler is in the other balance.
In God's "Hall of Fame" are inscribed names and epi-
taphs that never need revision. "He shall be great in
the sight of the Lord."        E. R. HENDRIX.
XXI

 
This page in the original text is blank.

 

   LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
                  CHAPTER I.
Date and Place of Birth-Of German Stock-Grandfather a
  Fort Builder-His Father a Pioneer-Thrilling Experience
  -Mother a Pioneer-Preacher's Daughter-Boyish Sports
  -A Wrestling Match.
  REV. LEARNER BLACKMAN STATELER, son of Steven
and Rhoda Stateler, was born near Hartford, in Ohio
County, Ky., the 7th of July, i8ii. His father was
of German blood and lived on the -Monongahela
River in what was then the State of Virginia, but
which, when the line was finally established, fell in the
State of Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Stateler's grandfather had a fort at the mouth
of Dunkard Creek, where Steven was born and reared,
and at a time when the country was new and wild and
the Indians were troublesome.
  When yet a young man, Steven left that country on
what was known as an emigrant boat for New Orleans.
Almost the entire country along the river below Louis-
ville, Ky., was occupied by Indians. Near where the
town of Evansville now stands, the boat stopped and
Steven, in company with two other men, was sent
ashore to capture wild meat for the long journey.
Game was very plentiful, and two of the men soon be-
gan firing, when the other man, who was a cowardly
fellow, took fright, ran back to the boat, and reported
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LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
that the Indians were upon them, when the remainder
of the boat's crew cut cable and pulled out, leaving
their two faithful hunters to their fate.
  Upon returning to the river bank, and realizing
their situation, the two men improvised a raft made of
dry logs bound together with grapevines on which
they started to follow the boat, taking their guns
along and using poles for paddles with which to guide
the frail craft. They had gone but a short distance
when the raft struck a snag, began to sink, then
righted up, turned around, and floated away with the
other man on it until it was out of sight, leaving
Stateler clinging to the log in the midst of the river,
from which he escaped by swimming to the shore, los-
ing his gun in the operation.
  Left thus alone in an unbroken forest full of hostile
Indians, without means of defense, without food or
means of taking the wild game, his condition was any-
thing but pleasant. He bound some logs together on
which he recrossed the Ohio River to the Kentucky
side, landing at the mouth of Green River. Pressing
his way through the canebrakes, passing the falls of
the Ohio where Louisville now stands, after about
ten days he found himself on the opposite bank of the
river from a town or fort called Hartford, in a fam-
ishing condition. It was nearly dark, and a man by
the name of Rhodes crossed him over in a canoe, took
him to his house, and cared for him until he was
strong again.
  He was an excellent marksman and good hunter,
but the people were so closely pressed by the sav-
ages and so fearful of treachery that they would al-
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LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
low him only a few balls at a time, with powder in
proportion, for the muzzle-loading gun that they fur-
nished him to capture game for them. He soon
proved to them that he was a true man, and rendered
valuable assistance in the defense of the place and in
pursuit of savage foes, and the stories of some of his
heroic acts are still rehearsed by the people of that
country, although these occurrences were more than
one hundred years ago.
  Says Mr. Stateler, in narrating these thrilling
events:
  "My father remained at Hartford about three years,
in which time he was often engaged with others in
conflicts with the Indians. In those days, in order to
have bread, the laborers, in preparing the ground for
cultivation, and also in cultivating it, found it neces-
sary to have placed around them a guard to watch the
Indians and defend them against their attacks.
  "My father spent his time in hunting and dressing
skins for clothing and for other purposes for the
space of about three years, by which time he had ac-
cumulated sufficient means to purchase a horse and
traveling outfit, with which he started, in company
with others, over the trail across the couptry back to
his home. They received him with expressions of sur-
prise and gladness, having for years believed that he
was dead. He did not tarry long there, but took boat
and returned to his new-found home in Kentucky.
  "Not long after my father's return there arrived
in the settlement Rev. Ignatius Pigman, from Balti-
more, Md., who had for many years previous been a
regular itinerant preacher in the Baltimore Confer-
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LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
ence, having commenced his labors as a traveling
preacher in I780-four years before the regula